GEO’s Global Learning Program Development Awards fund innovative projects
Contact: Nicol Tinsley
VCU Global Education Office
Phone: (804) 828-6463
nctinsley@vcu.edu
Richmond, VA (September 12, 2024) — The Global Education Office (GEO) has awarded 14 grants to VCU faculty and staff through the 2024-25 Global Learning Program Development Awards. The awards are granted in an effort to assist in the development of new and innovative global learning programs including education abroad, domestic study away with a global focus, or virtual exchange.
This year's awards highlight a diverse range of innovative programs across six colleges and schools, aimed at enhancing the global learning and engagement of VCU students.
This year, in addition to 10 new study abroad opportunities, three virtual exchange experiences and a domestic study away program are included, demonstrating VCU's commitment to accessible global engagement.
“These awards represent the best way to drive internationalization: they directly fund faculty innovation,” said Jill Blondin, Ph.D., associate vice provost for global initiatives.“ The awards foster international collaboration through the creation of new study abroad programs and global partner engagement,” she said.
Supporting programs for a second year, the awards offer up to $5,000 to each VCU faculty, staff or group recipient, providing opportunities to explore creative ways to help students gain global learning experiences in specific areas of the world.
“We appreciate the faculty's dedication to international education and their creativity in developing these proposals, as well as the generous support and collaboration of our partners, International American University (IAU) and CEPA Foundation,” said Stephanie Tignor, director of global learning. “The faculty's focus on strategic global regions will advance VCU's broader vision of expanding our global footprint and providing transformative experiences for our students.”
The following projects and coordinators have been awarded grants for the 2024-25 academic year in the specified locations:
- Preventative Health Care Perspectives in Brazil and the U.S.: Physical Activity Motivation Interventions, Edmund Acevedo, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Brazil (study abroad and virtual exchange)
- University of Ghana Social Work Virtual Exchange, Nicole Corley, Ph.D., Social Work, School of Social Work, Ghana (virtual exchange)
- Pan-American Study Abroad Program: Mexico, Guatemala, and Colombia, Noah Simblist and Caitlin Cherry, Department of Painting and Printmaking, School of the Arts, Mexico
- Mediterranean Textiles (at IAU), Renee Lamb, Department of Fashion, School of the Arts, France
- VCU Center for Sport Leadership Undergraduate Summer Study Abroad to Madrid, Carrie LeCrom, Ph.D., Center for Sport Leadership, School of Business, Spain
- First Generation at Christ's College at Cambridge University, Michaux Dempster and Meriah Crawford, Ph.D., Department of Focused Inquiry, University College, UK
- Leadership for Social Change (at CEPA), Mike Rackett, Ph.D., VCU Transform, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Student Affairs/University College, France
- Building a Collaborative Online Learning Community between VCU and Christ University, John Fife, Ph.D., Research and Faculty Development, School of Education, India (virtual exchange)
- School of Social Work Education Abroad in Johannesburg, South Africa,Maurice Gattis, Ph.D., Social Work, School of Social Work, South Africa
- Portugal: Healthcare Shadowing, Krista Scott, Dean's Office College of Humanities and Sciences, Portugal
- U.S. Civil Rights Trail, Alexandra Reckendorf, Ph.D. and Jatia Wrighten, Ph.D., Department of Political Science, College of Humanities and Sciences, USA
- Expanding the VCU International Consulting Program to include Cordoba, Spain as an Additional Program Site, Elena Olson, Ph.D., Department of Information Systems, School of Business, Spain
- Women in Global Politics (at IAU), Jessica Trisko Darden, Ph.D., Department of Political Science, College of Humanities and Sciences, Spain
- Global Gateway (at CEPA), Katie Gilstrap and Jana McQuaid, Department of Marketing, School of Business, France